When Things Fall Apart

When tragedy strikes, it can change our lives forever. There seems to be no one to turn to, and sometimes not even our best friends or family understand what we're going through. What's worse, we feel stuck and like we may never be happy again. The books on this list, both true and fiction, speak of teens' lives after a tragic event, and how they ultimately were able to get through these difficult times. For more information visit our Health & Safety page (link below) with online resources that can help you or a loved one cope with grief.

Alex can't believe her luck, she has found her soul mate in Cole, the handsome, funny, new boy at school. At first, Alex is so enamored with Cole that she pushes aside her unease at Cole's intense jealousy over her relationships with friends and family. As time passes, though, Cole's jealousy turns violent and Alex finds herself confused and terrified of the man she thought was the love of her life.

Bev Cobain, cousin of Kurt Cobain, who tragically took his own life due to depression and drug dependency, breaks down the steps to beating depression. This is a must read for all teens fighting depression, which is ultimately treatable. Those living with depression are not alone, %u201CWhen Nothing Matters Anymore%u201D provides teens with real survival tips, ways to beat depression, and live a healthy life.

The summer following her father's death, Macy plans to work at the library and wait for her brainy boyfriend to return from camp, but instead she goes to work at a catering business where she makes new friends and finally faces her grief.

Fifteen-year-old loner Jason struggles to hide his father's declining mental condition after his mother's death. When his dad disappears, he must confide in the other members of a therapy group he has been forced to join at school.

Pete Friedman expects to have a spectacular time at high school. Star athletes are loved by teachers and fellow students especially the girls. So when the star baseball player suffers a debilitating accident at the beginning of his freshman year, it throws a curveball in his popularity and his very search for his purpose in life.

This book follows cancer's devastating path through a teen's life from diagnosis to treatment and survivorship, with special attention to how cancer can affect relations with friends and family, and its impact on school life. It explores the toll cancer can take on self image and looks at how teens facing cancer have found a sense of balance and control.

%u201CMy Anxious Mind%u201D strives to provide teens with strategies which have been developed based on current cutting edge research. Ultimately, this is the book for the teen needing help in addressing their own anxiety and panic issues, while addressing important factors such as sleep, exercise and nutrition.

Donna has had a hard time relating to people since her dad died 4 years ago. But when she finds her professional calling as a mortician after attending a classmate's wake, she finds purpose and gains confidence as she helps families through difficult times.

For years, 16-year-old Loa%u2019s world was consumed by caring for her baby sister Asta, who suffered from a rare genetic disorder that left her a perpetual infant. After Asta dies, Loa%u2019s world collapses and she begins to suffer from debilitating nightmares and flashbacks%u2014signs of PTSD. Read this short, but heart wrenching novel by Woolston to find out if Loa is able to overcome her grief.

Jill MacSweeney has suffered a tremendous loss. Her father has passed away leaving such a huge void for Jill and her mother. Jill turns to meanness and sarcasm to deal with her grief while her mother, Robin, decides to try an adopt a baby from a 19 year old 'stranger' named Mandy that Robin met over an email response.